Growing up in the nineties meant Sunday nights were basically reserved for the Camdens. You know the vibe—the oversized sweaters, the gentle piano music, and a moral lesson that wrapped up in exactly forty-four minutes. It was wholesome. It was safe. But looking back at the cast from 7th Heaven then and now, the reality is a lot more complicated than those tidy episodes of the longest-running family drama in TV history.
Some of these actors became household names while others basically vanished into thin air. Honestly, it’s a bit jarring to see where they are today. We saw them grow up on screen, but life after Glenoak wasn't always a "heavenly" transition.
The Breakthrough Star: Jessica Biel’s Hollywood Takeover
If you look at the cast from 7th Heaven then and now, Jessica Biel is the undeniable breakout. She played Mary Camden, the rebellious athlete daughter, but she didn't exactly leave the show on the best of terms. Remember that 2000 Gear magazine shoot? It caused a massive scandal for the show’s conservative image and basically signaled that she was ready to outgrow the Camden nest.
She did exactly that.
Biel pivoted from "Mary" to a legitimate A-list movie star. She landed roles in massive projects like The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and The Illusionist. But she didn't just stay in front of the camera. She became a powerhouse producer with The Sinner, which earned her a Golden Globe nomination. She’s also married to Justin Timberlake, which kept her in the headlines for years. Unlike some of her co-stars who stayed in the TV movie circuit, Biel redefined herself as a serious dramatic actor. She’s probably the only one who truly escaped the "Glenoak curse."
The Quiet Career of Barry Watson
Matt Camden was the heartthrob. Every teenager in 1996 had a poster of Barry Watson on their wall. He was the eldest brother, the sensible one, the aspiring doctor. While he was filming the show, Watson was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s disease in 2002. It was a massive shock to the fans and the production. He had to take a significant leave of absence for treatment, which is why Matt’s character was written out for a while.
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He beat it, though.
These days, Watson works steadily, but he isn’t chasing the blockbuster life. He’s done a lot of TV work, starring in Samantha Who? and Date My Dad. He also made a memorable appearance in The Loudest Voice as Lachlan Murdoch. He seems content with the "working actor" lifestyle, living a relatively private life with his wife, Natasha Gregson Wagner (Natalie Wood’s daughter). When you compare the cast from 7th Heaven then and now, Watson feels like the most grounded of the bunch.
Beverly Mitchell: The Resident Camden Expert
Beverly Mitchell, who played Lucy Camden, is basically the keeper of the 7th Heaven flame. While some actors try to distance themselves from their teen soap roots, Mitchell embraces it. She’s the one posting the throwback photos and organizing the mini-reunions.
After the show ended in 2007, she stayed in the spotlight but shifted her focus a bit. She did a stint on The Secret Life of the American Teenager and starred in the reality show Hollywood Darlings. Honestly, her Instagram is a nostalgia goldmine. She’s a mom of three now and often talks about how the show shaped her parenting style. If you’re looking for someone who still genuinely loves the legacy of the show, it's her.
What Happened to the Younger Kids?
The transition for the younger actors was a bit more hit-or-miss. David Gallagher, who played Simon, was the quintessential child star. He was in Look Who's Talking Now before the show even started. He stayed for most of the run but eventually left to pursue film and voice acting. You’ve probably heard him even if you haven't seen him—he’s the voice of Riku in the Kingdom Hearts video game series. It’s a massive cult-following role that keeps him busy in the convention circuit.
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Then there’s Mackenzie Rosman. Little Ruthie Camden.
She was only five or six when the show started. Seeing her today is a total trip because she’s a professional equestrian now. She still acts occasionally, but her real passion is horses. She’s heavily involved in the American Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, a cause close to her heart because her late stepsister suffered from the disease. She’s stayed away from the typical Hollywood drama, which is a rare feat for someone who grew up on a soundstage.
The Shadow Over the Series: Stephen Collins
We have to talk about the elephant in the room. You can't discuss the cast from 7th Heaven then and now without mentioning Stephen Collins, who played the patriarch, Reverend Eric Camden. For years, he was the face of the "perfect dad." That image was shattered in 2014 when recordings surfaced in which he admitted to inappropriate conduct with minors.
The fallout was immediate and permanent.
Reruns of the show were pulled from several networks. He was fired from his role in Ted 2. He hasn't worked in the industry since. For many fans, this revelation made re-watching the show almost impossible. It changed the legacy of the series from a wholesome family staple to something that feels a bit more tragic. It’s a dark chapter that the rest of the cast has had to navigate, often being asked for their reactions years after the facts came out.
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Catherine Hicks and the Mom Energy
Annie Camden was the glue. Catherine Hicks brought a certain warmth to the show that made it work. Before 7th Heaven, she was already an established name—remember her in Child's Play? Since the show ended, she’s stayed active in the theater scene and has appeared in a long list of Lifetime and Hallmark Christmas movies. She’s one of those actors who just works constantly, even if it’s not in the massive $200 million budget films. She remains close with several cast members, particularly Beverly Mitchell.
The Forgotten Camdens: The Twins
Remember when the show added the twins, Sam and David? They were played by the Brino quadruplets—Nikolas, Lorenzo, Zachary, and Myrinda. Eventually, the roles were narrowed down to Nikolas and Lorenzo. Sadly, there was some tragic news in the 7th Heaven world a few years back. Lorenzo Brino passed away in a car accident in 2020 at the age of 21. It was a heartbreaking moment for the cast and the fans who remembered him as a toddler on screen.
Why We Still Care About the 7th Heaven Cast
Nostalgia is a hell of a drug. We spent eleven seasons watching this family. We saw them deal with everything from the first day of school to the heartbreak of losing a pet. Even though the show feels incredibly dated now—the fashion, the pacing, the "very special episode" format—there’s a comfort in seeing where these people ended up.
The cast from 7th Heaven then and now proves that there is no one way to survive child stardom. You can become a movie star like Biel, a voice acting icon like Gallagher, or just step away from it all like Rosman.
Actionable Steps for 7th Heaven Fans
If you’re feeling nostalgic and want to catch up with the cast or the show, here’s what you can actually do right now:
- Streaming: You can currently find most seasons of 7th Heaven on platforms like Paramount+ or Pluto TV if you want to revisit Glenoak.
- Follow the Cast: For the most authentic updates, follow Beverly Mitchell and Jessica Biel on Instagram. They are the most active and often share behind-the-scenes memories.
- The Rewatch Podcast Trend: While there isn't a "definitive" cast-led rewatch podcast like Office Ladies yet, Beverly Mitchell frequently guest stars on nostalgia-themed podcasts like Worst Firsts or Vulnerable with Christy Carlson Romano to talk about her time on the show.
- Support the Causes: Many cast members use their platforms for good. Mackenzie Rosman is a huge advocate for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation; consider looking into their work if you want to support a cause championed by a Camden.
The show might be over, but the lives of the actors continue in ways that are far more interesting (and sometimes more difficult) than any script Aaron Spelling could have written. Keeping up with them is a reminder that the "heavenly" life on screen is usually just the beginning of a much longer, more complicated story.
Expert Insight: When viewing the series through a modern lens, it's helpful to separate the performances of the cast from the off-screen controversies of the creators or specific leads. Many viewers find that focusing on the sibling dynamics—which were often genuinely well-acted—allows the nostalgia to remain intact despite the show's complicated legacy.